Word
garde
/ˈɡɑɹd/
Definition
n. a person or group that protects something, or a position of readiness. You usually see this word today as part of the phrase 'on garde' or 'off garde' in sports like fencing.
n. a posture of defense or a state of readiness, particularly in combat or fencing. While largely replaced by 'guard' in modern English, it persists in specific idiomatic expressions and technical sporting contexts.
Examples
“The fencer stood in a perfect garde before the match began.”
“The coach instructed the athletes to maintain their garde even when they felt the opponent was tiring.”
Examples
simple
“The fencer stood in a perfect garde before the match began.”
contextual
“The coach instructed the athletes to maintain their garde even when they felt the opponent was tiring.”
Usage
Commonly encountered in the French loan-phrase 'en garde' to signal the start of a fencing bout.
Pitfall
he was caught off garde
he was caught off guard
In general modern English, the spelling 'guard' is used for the idiom; 'garde' is reserved for technical fencing or French contexts.
Real-World Examples
“After all, you don’t attend a Céline Dion show expecting anything avant garde.” “In 1970, she and fellow protesters were arrested and jailed after occupying the offices of the avant garde Grove Press, whose owner, Barney Rosset, was fighting employees’ efforts to unionize.” Scan code
englishreference.com/q/garde